Adjustably extendable and lockable table leg or the like



April 22, 1958 w. R. FRYCKHOLM 2,831,739

ADJUSTABLY EXTENDABLE AND LOCKABLE TABLE LEG OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 28,1956 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 4 INVENTOR.

WILLIAM R. FRYCKHOLM B guynt aw A ril 22, 1958 w. R. FRYCKHOLM 2,331,739

ADJUSTABLY EXTENDABLE AND LOCKABLE TABLE LEG OR THE LIKE Filed Feb. 28.1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a INVENTOR. WILLIAM R. FRYCKHOLM By RAW UnitedStates Patent M ADJUSTABLY EXTENDABLE AND LOCKABLE TABLE LEG OR THE LIKEWilliam R. Fryckholm, San Lorenzo, Calif, assignor of one-tenth toGadget-of-the-Month Club, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation ofCalifornia Application February 28, 1956, Serial No. 568,364

4 Claims. (Cl. 311-39) This invention relates to tables and to tableswith detachable legs, and more particularly to tables made with foldinglegs adapted for telescoping and adjustment in length and furtheradapted for attachment to tables tops of any type and size without theuse of special tools or equipment.

In the past there have been many collapsible tables but none whichprovided adjustability in the length and position of the legs within therange envisioned by this invention.

A table equipped with legs constructed according to this invention couldeven be used as a lap table or as an easel with one edge level with thework surface and an opposite edge elevated to substantially the heightof a conventional coffee table. In addition to being collapsible andeasily stored, a table utilizing the extendable legs of my inventioncould be used for a variety of purposes including a bed table, acocktail table, a childs adjustable table for a nursery room or school,a utility Sunday schoolroom table, a bedside table, or it could beadjusted to suitable heights for card playing and for dining.

In this manner a single table might cover the needs of the sick room,hotel room, auto court, resort, trailer and home. A table having threeor four legs of the type envisioned by my invention would be ideal forcamping trips and expeditions since the legs could be individuallyadjusted on irregular terrain to provide a substantially horizontaltable top at any desired height above the average level of the ground.

Heretofore, the many difierent purposes for which tables are used havemade necessary the use of equally as many different tables in the homeand other places, and it has been with this in mind that the presentinvention, which will be seen to have a number of important objects, hasbeen made.

One important object of the present invention is the provision of atable adapted with light Weight easily adjustable legs.

Another important object of the present invention is the provision of atable leg of the character described which will also be movable intoparallel alignment with the table top.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a lightweight table leg of the character described which will be bothtelescopic in length and fold able against the underside of the tabletop.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of atable leg of the character described which iseasily attached to theundersurface of any table top without the use of special tools orequipment.

An additional important object of the present invention is the provisionof a table leg of the general character described which is adapted foradjustment in length yet, although made of light weight material, willbe completely rigid longitudinally. I

Another object of the present invention is the provision 2,831,739Patented Apr. 22, 1-958 2 of a table leg of the characterdescribed whichwill have positive locking means to position the leg at the heightdesired and to position the leg in the downwardly extended position ofuse.

In brief, the present invention comprises a table having a flat planarsurface of predetermined dimensions attached to which is a plurality ofnot less than three legs of the particular character covered by thisinvention. Each of the legs constructed according to this inventionconsists of a pair of interfitting semicylindrical longitudinallyextended channelmembers, each being semi-circular in cross sectionalconformation and terminated along its longitudinally extended edgesininbent coplanar flangeswith those of the inner member being extendedbeyond one end thereof.

The inner of the two channellar members has a longitudinally extendedU-shaped groove intermediate of its longitudinal edges and a pluralityof holes in the bottom of the groove to receive a spring loaded plungerdisposed inthe other channel member. The flat bottom surface of theU-shaped groove is extended outwardly similarly to the extensions of theinbent flanges.

The three extensions from one end of the inner channellar member serveas means for attaching the member to a transverse shaft rotatablyretained in two journal members which, in turn, are removably attachedto the undersurface of the table top. A spring clip having a notcheddetent therein is positioned between the journal members and engages anaxially aligned outward extension of the shaft to hold the legdownwardly at right angles to the undersurface of the table top.

The semicylindrical outer channel member may be drawn downwardlyrelative to the inner member which is attached to the rotating shaft,and a spring loaded-lock pin is entered in any particular hole in theinner member providing the table height desired.

Other important objects of my invention will be apparent to personsfamiliar with the general art upon reading the following detaileddescription of one preferred embodiment thereof with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a perspective end elevational view of the table constructedaccording to my invention as it would appear when the legs are equallyextended in position for normal use;

Figure 2 is a similar perspective view from the same end showing thetable with the legs at one end folded against the undersurface of thetable when being utilized as an easel.

Figure 3 is a side elevational perspective view of the table with twoend legs folded under the table permitting its use as an easel similarlyto that of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an underview of the table showing the legs telescoped intocompact form and rotated against the underside of the table.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the outer channel member of a typicalleg;

Figure 6 is a bottom View of the same channel member taken from theopposite side as that in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top plan view of the inner channellar member showing thelocations at one end of its inbent flanges and its central longitudinalgroove;

Figure 8 is an underview of the channel member shown in Figure 7 showingthe coplanar inbent flanges and the conformation of the underside of themember;

Figure 9 is a top plan view of the two channellar members interfittedone within the other;

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken through the center of the plungerlock member along the broken line 10-8-10-8 in Figure 9 and seen fromthe direction of the arrows;

Figure 11 is a bottom view of the assembled channel members taken in thedirection of the arrows along the line 11S--11S in Figure 3 and showingthe extensions of the inner channel attached to the pivotal shaft andjournal members;

Figure 12 is a through section taken along the line 12S-12-S'in Figure11 as seen from the direction of the arrows.

Reference is again made to Figure 1 in which the numeral 10 designates atable constructed according to my invention with its fiat top 11 and thelower portions of its legs 12, 13, 14 and 15 respectively, and the upperportions of its legs 16 and 17. In Figure 2 the legs 14 and 15 have beenfolded under the surface 11 and are not seen in the drawing. 'In Figure3 the legs 12 and 15 are visible, but the legs 13 and 14 have beenfolded under one end of the table to indicate the manner in which atable of this construction might be used'as an easel or bed table ifdesired. The legs, as seen in Figure 4 are secured to the undersurface18 of the table top by journal members, typical of which are 19 and 20,in which a shaft member 21 is adapted to rotate in a fixed arc,

The frontal extension of the inner channel can be seen at 22, and theend of the spring clip which serves to hold the leg perpendicular to thebottom of the table is seen at 23. In Figure the same member of thechannel assembly is designated by the numeral 24 and for the sake ofclarity, these views, although generally top plan views, have been shownslightly in perspective to show the arcuate contour of thesemicylindrical channel and their inbent flanges as seen at 25 and 26 inFigure 5. The top of the spring loaded lock member is seen at 27 inFigure 5 and the underside of the lock at 28 in Fig ure 6 which is anunderview of the same channel member showing more clearly the inbentflanges 25 and 26 and the reverse position of the arcuate ends as at 28and 29.

In Figure 7 one of the inner channel members interfitting with thatshown in Figures 5 and 6 is shown generally at 30 together with theextension of the central grooved section 22 as seen in Figure 4. Alsothe extended portions of the inbent flanges are seen at 34 and 35 intheir respective positions in this figure and in Figure 8 which is aview of the underside of the same channel member. Also seen in Figures 7and 8 are several of the central apertures in the band 22 which arespaced longitudinally of the band and adapted to receive the plunger ofthe lock member 27 seen in Figure 5.

Figure 9 shows the two channel members assembled with the outwardextensions of the inner member seen at 22 and 34 and 35, and the lockmember 27 and the inbent ends of the inner channel 30 positioned at 34and ,35 in Figure 9 where they are seen to interfit with flanges 25 and26 of the outer channel member 24.

Figure is a cross section taken along the line 10-S-10S in Figure 9 asseen from the direction of the arrows and shows the semicircularsectional contour of the channel 30 and the manner in which it interfitswith the sleeve member 24; also seen are the inbent flanges 25 and 26 ofthe sleeve member and 34 and 35 of the inner member. A cross section ofthe button or cap portion of the plunger type leg extension lock isshown at 27 together with the inwardly extending pin 27-K thereof andthe normally closed spring member 27-P which exerts bias to draw the pin27-K inwardly of the aperture 31 in the longitudinally extended groove22 of the inner channel member 30.

Fixedly attached to the inner surface of the sleeve channel 24 is a plugportion 27-R which forms a reinforcement for the pin member 27-K of thelock assembly 27, and also serves as a stabilizing guide slidable withinItjhe U -shaped central groove 22 in the inner channel mem- The typicalmanner in which one of the legs is attached to its respective shaftmember is shown in Figure 11 which 4 is a sectional view taken along theline 11-S-11S in Figure 3 and seen from the direction of the arrows. InFigure 11 the shaft 21 is seen supported by the journal member 36attached by fasteners such as 37 to the underside of the table top whichis shown in section at 40, and by the second journal member 38 which isheld by fasteners such as 39 to the undersurface 18 of the table top 40.Also seen in this figure are the inwardly bent longitudinally extendedflanged members 25 and 26 of the inner member 30 having extensions 34and 35 fastened by fasteners 44 and 45 to the shaft member 21. Also seenin Figure 11 is the extension of the shaft, a stud member 41, which isadapted to engage the spring clip detent 42 both of which are betterseen in Figure 12 which is a sectional view taken along the line12-S12-S as seen from the direction of the arrows in Figure 11. OnFigure l2 the detent in the spring clip 42 is clearly seen together withthe stud extension 41 of the shaft member21.

The spring 23 is attached by the fastener 43 to the undersurface 18 ofthe table top shown in section at 40. Also seen in this figure is acorresponding side view of the lock member 27 with its spring member27-P. As can be seen, the leg member 24 is prevented from rotatingtoward the left relative to itsv shaft 21 by the detent 42 in the springclip-23, yet either pressure of the spring 23 or pressure inwardly onthe leg 24 permits the leg to be rotated against the inner surface 18 ofthe tabletop 40. The lock 27 is operated by pulling the cap memberoutwardly thereby extending the spring 27-P until the tip of the stern27-K comes inwardly of the plug 27-R and clear of the'aperture 31 in thelongitudinal channel 22 of the inner member 30. i a

As has been said, attachment of a set of the legs to the undersurface ofany table top is a relatively simple matter accomplished by enteringscrews such as 37 and 39 through the journal members 36 and 38 for eachleg into the bottom of the table top and attaching the spring clip suchas 23 by means of the screw fasteners 43 in a position so the detent 42of the spring 23 falls inproper alignment with the projection 41 on theshaft 21 of the leg member.

As can readily be seen from the figures in the drawings, the advantagesof this leg construction are that the sections of the leg telescope onewithin the other and lock in any desired position and, secondly, thatthe leg is rotatable relative to the undersurface of the table and locksfirmly in the downwardly extended position.

Obviously, legs of suitable range of extension would be used accordingto the intended purpose of the table. All the legs are extendableapproximately seventy-five percent of the completely telescoped length;consequently legs of eight to ten inches in telescoped length would beemployed for generally low tables, and legs of eighteen to twenty inchesin telescoped length would be employed on tables intended for use inplaying cards and dining.

Numerous modifications and variations of the present invention willoccur to those skilled in the art after a careful study hereof. Allsuch, properly within the basic spirit and scope of the presentinvention are intended to be included and comprehended herein as fullyas if specifically described, illustrated and claimed herein.

The exact compositions, configurations, constructions, relativepositionings, and cooperative relationshipsof the various componentparts of the present invention are not critical, and can be modifiedsubstantially within the spirit of the present invention.

The embodiments of the present invention specifically described andillustrated herein are exemplary only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the present invention, which is to be interpreted in the lightof the prior art and the appended claims only, with due considerationfor the doctrine of equivalents.

I claim:

1. An extendable leg for a table, comprising: a pair of interfittingchannellar members slidable relative to each other, the inner of saidchannellar members having a plurality of spaced apertures disposedcentrally and longitudinally thereof, the outer of said channellarmembers having a plunger member entered through a perforation in thecenter adjacent one end thereof and extendable inwardly through any ofsaid spaced apertures in said inner channellar member, said inner memberhaving a plurality of strap sections extended longitudinally from oneend thereof for attachment of said leg to the underside of a table.

2. An extendable leg for a table, comprising: a pair of interfittingrelatively telescopable channel members, said channel members beingsemi-cylindrically conformed and semi-circular in cross sectionalcontour and having inwardly extended longitudinally disposed edgeportions, the inner of said interfitting channel members having acentrally and longitudinally disposed U-shaped groove extending thelength thereof; and locking means for securing said channel members in aplurality of relative lineally extended positions.

3. An extendable leg for a table, comprising: a pair of interfittingrelatively telescopable channel members, said channel members beingsemi-cylindrically conformed and semi-circular in cross-sectionalcontour and having inwardly extended longitudinally disposed edgeportions, the inner of said interfitting channel members having acentrally and longitudinally disposed U-shaped groove extending thelength thereof and having a plurality of fastening strap sectionslongitudinally extended from one end thereof; and locking means forsecuring said channel members in a plurality of relative lineallyextended positions; said outer one of said interfitting channel membersbeing provided with an inwardly disposed plug portion dimensioned to fitslidably within said centrally dis posed longitudinal groove in saidinner channel memher.

4. The invention in accordance with claim 3 in which said locking meanscomprises: a plunger assembly including a cap and pin entered through anaperture in the outer surface of said outer channel member and throughsaid plug portion disposed inwardly thereof, and a spring member biasingsaid cap and pin inwardly of said aperture; a plurality of spaced holesdisposed in longitudinal alignment through the inner surface of saidU-shaped groove extended longitudinally in said inner channel member,each of said holes being adapted to receive said pin of said lockassembly when positioned in alignment therewith.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,203,783 Reischmann Nov. 7, 1916 1,437,670 Mazoch Dec. 5, 19221,838,352 Anderson Dec. 29, 1931 1,905,219 Crichton Apr. 25, 19332,010,041 Slee Aug. 6, 1935 2,323,423 Schmidt July 6, 1943 2,503,199Goldblatt Apr. 4, 1950 2,535,559 Wolf Dec. 26, 1950 2,625,454 Brown Jan.13, 1953 2,702,222 Puls et a1. Feb. 15, 1955

